The U.S. government shutdown has meant a dearth of official economic data this month, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics got enough of its group together to issue its Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for September, and it came in better than anticipated.
The CPI rose 0.3% month-over-month compared to economist expectations of 0.4% and August’s 0.4% increase. On a year-over-year basis, CPI increased by 3.0%, against forecasts of 3.1% and August’s 2.9%.
Core CPI — which excludes volatile food and energy prices — climbed 0.2% month-over-month versus expectations of 0.3% and August’s 0.3%. Year-over-year core CPI was 3.0%, compared to an expected 3.1% and August’s 3.1%.
Bitcoin added to earlier gains in in the immediate aftermath of the report, now trading at $111,600.
In traditional markets, U.S. stock index futures also added to earlier gains, the Nasdaq 100 now higher by just shy of 1%. The 10-year Treasury yield dipped two basis points to 3.97% and the dollar weakened a hair.
Ahead the inflation data, traders had already priced in roughly a 100% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week, gaccording to CME FedWatch. Markets also anticipated about a 90% chance of an additional 25 basis point rate cut at the Fed’s final meeting of the year in December.
